The LGA has reiterated the need for new homes to be delivered through a planning system “with public participation at its heart”, after the Government announced proposals to reform the way the country builds.
Ministers have published a series of consultation documents, including a ‘Planning for the future’ White Paper that would see land designated for growth, renewal or protection.
It will also require every area to have a local plan in place within 30 months and to move towards a digital planning system, with a new infrastructure levy to replace Section 106 agreements and the community infrastructure levy.
Cllr James Jamieson, LGA Chairman, said: “Councils are committed to ensuring new homes are built and communities have quality places to live.
“It is vital that these are delivered through a planning system with public participation at its heart, which gives communities the power to ensure new developments are of a high standard, built in the right places, and include affordable homes.
“We also need to ensure that new homes are supported by new funding for community infrastructure such as schools, playgrounds and roads.
“Nine in 10 applications are approved by councils, with more than a million homes given planning permission over the past decade yet to be built. The system needs to ensure planning permissions are built.
“Any loss of local control over developments would be a concern. It would deprive communities of the ability to define the area they live in and know best and risk giving developers the freedom to ride roughshod over local areas.
“It is vital that government fully engages with– and takes advantage of – the expertise in local government to ensure that their aspirations of an improved system works in practice.”
